How to play Fetchfire

Fetchfire is a free hot potato game online: a multiplayer party game for up to 6 players, right in your browser. One of you holds a burning stone and a hellhound hunts whoever has it. Run, dodge its dive, and throw the stone on before it catches you. Play with friends, or jump in and bots fill the room.

The goal

Every round starts with a 3 s countdown, then the stone lands in someone's hands and the hound wakes up 1.5 s later. It only hunts whoever holds the stone. If it catches you, you're out until the next round. The hound stops to eat for 1.4 s, then the stone goes to someone else.

The last player standing wins the round, and the first to 3 round wins takes the match. Pass someone the stone and if the hound gets them within 6 s, that's your KO. In your first match, short hints show you how to run, throw and dash.

Controls

📱 Phone and tablet

  • Drag anywhere on the left half of the screen to run.
  • Tap THROW to throw the stone to whoever is nearest you, or drag from it to aim and let go.
  • Tap DASH for a quick burst the way you're running.
  • Turn your phone sideways for the best view.

🖱️ Computer

  • Click where you want to run (hold to keep running), or use WASD / the arrow keys.
  • Right-click, Space or Q throws the stone to whoever is nearest your cursor.
  • Shift or E dashes the way you're running.
  • You can swap the mouse buttons in the game's settings.

The stone

A throw goes to the player closest to where you aim, and it always lands: the stone homes in on them at more than 6 times running speed, so nobody can outrun a pass. Right after you catch it you can't throw for 0.25 s, so no instant ping-pong.

The longer one player holds the stone, the faster the hound runs, up to more than 2 times your running speed. It also gets a little faster as the round goes on, and after 60 seconds it keeps speeding up past its top speed, so no round lasts forever.

The hellhound

The hound runs like an animal, not a missile: it turns at a limited rate, brakes into tight turns and skids. From far away it rushes straight at whoever holds the stone. Once it's close, it starts its dance:

  • The drift: it circles the holder, sliding. Every half circle is a drift (you'll see DRIFT ×1, ×2…), and each one makes it 6% faster, up to 8 drifts. They last until it catches someone.
  • The crouch: after 2 to 4 half circles it stops and crouches for 0.28 s. Its eyes flare and a red line runs along the ground to where it's about to strike. That's your warning.
  • The dive: it lunges straight in at 1.5× its speed and can barely turn. Step or dash out of the line and it skids right past you, then starts circling again the other way.

While the stone is in the air, the hound chases the stone, so it arrives right behind it at whoever catches it.

Dash

Dash is a quick burst the way you're running (or straight away from the hound if you're standing still), ready every 3.5 s. It's your escape from the dive, so don't waste it.

Tips

  • Watch for the red line. When the hound crouches, sidestep across the line or dash.
  • Save your dash for the dive. A plain rush you can often just step around.
  • Don't hold the stone too long: the hound gets faster every second you keep it.
  • Throw when the hound is close to you: the next holder gets it at the worst moment, and if the hound gets them soon after, the KO is yours.
  • Keep away from whoever holds the stone. A quick throw goes to the nearest player.
  • Stay off the wall. In the open you have room to dodge both ways.

Questions

Is Fetchfire free?
Yes. It's free to play in your browser: no download, no signup, no ads.
Is it like hot potato?
Yes. Whoever holds the burning stone is in danger, so you pass it on. The twist: a hellhound hunts whoever holds it, and if it catches you, you're out of the round.
Does it work on phones?
Yes, on phones, tablets and computers. On a phone, turn it sideways. You get a stick to run and THROW and DASH buttons.
How do I play with friends?
Open the game, tap With friends and share the room link. Friends who open it join your room, and the host picks when to start.
Are there bots?
Yes. Bots fill the room up to 4 players so a match can always start, and they're always labeled as bots. A room holds up to 6 players; when a friend joins a full room, a bot gives up its seat.
How do I win?
The last player the hound hasn't caught wins the round. The first to win 3 rounds wins the match.
Do I need an account?
No. Your name and level are saved on your device.

Ready? Bots are always waiting for a match.

▶ Play Fetchfire

Want a team game? Try Hooklash, our hook brawl across the river.